11-9-99

Dear Ben Davis,

Since my last mail a lot of things have happened. Firstly, I got your

nice review. So, you don`t need looking for it any longer. Secondly, I

have seen Robert`s Memory Theatre one. I was very delighted both by its

construction and the smart adaptation of historical memory theatres. But

the most fascinating thing about Memory Theater One has been the icons or "egos"

which change their meaning with every new context / every new memory room.

The cross meanings of image and text and the complex layers of meaning

of each icon illustrate the arbitrary relationship between the

signifier and the signified. They also break down the closed

architectural setting of the memory theatre. Your reference to

Saussure`s theory of the signifier and the signified and Barthes`

Elements of Semiology is illuminative at this point.

So are your remarks on the art of memory as a kind of inclusive and

intense visualization. I`ve gotten the impression that this reception of

the art of memory is influenced by Marshall McLuhan, even though you

didn`t mention him directly. In the Gutenberg Galaxy as well as in his

review of Frances Yates` seminal book on the "ars memoriae" McLuhan`s

interest in mnemotechny especially is aimed at the "imagines",

respectively a polysemantic pictorial language. And already in the

Gutenberg Galaxy he pointed out that the "iconic mode" and therefore any

pictorial language will become more and more important in the era of

electronic media and information. You`ve stressed this aspect of the art

of memory too. Correspondingly, my question which aspect of it met with

a favorable reception is answered partially.

At present I am about to put my reflections on the linkage between the

art of memory, electronic media, and Robert`s Memory Theatre One on

paper. Although I have almost completed the puzzle, some parts are still

missing. And I rely on your support to get hold of them. Accordingly, I

would be most grateful if you could let me have a response to the

questions put down in my last mail ( ... Do you remember whether the

people at MIT (including Nicholas Negroponte) were acquainted with

Frances Yates` writings? Or did you introduce Robert Edgar`s artwork and

mnemotechny to them?)

You would really do me a great favor.

Thank you very much for your trouble.

With kind regards,

Kirsten